🩸 Horror Fiction

Waking Nightmares: Tales of the Unknown

✍️ Michael John Bertolini
Reader Score
4.4
(1 review)
$9.99
Temporarily out of stock

Currently unavailable

This book is sold out right now. Leave your email — we'll let you know if it comes back, and you'll get 10% off any book today.

In stock now — readers of this book also loved:

Horrorscope: Tales of the Dark and Twisted
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.4
1
Michael John Bertolini
Horrorscope: Tales of the Dark and Twisted
$12.99
78
Beyond the Ivy
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Taylor Mills
Beyond the Ivy
$9.99
86
Captain Gigadeath
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Ryan O'Laughlin
Captain Gigadeath
$9.99
86
The Gathering of Shadows
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Mark N Drake
The Gathering of Shadows
$9.99
86
The Lost Country, Episode One: "The Big Empty"
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Wayne Kyle Spitzer
The Lost Country, Episode One: "The Big Empty"
$9.99
86
Dr. Purpura
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Gibran D Hinojos
Dr. Purpura
$9.99
86
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A collection of unsettling tales designed to provoke dread through the unknown.

Bertolini uses short narratives to explore themes of recognition and fear. The stories do not rely on jump scares but rather on a lingering sense of being watched. This approach distinguishes the work from more visceral horror genres. The publisher emphasizes that the horrors may appear in ways previously unconsidered, forcing the reader to question their own perceptions. The book does not offer comfort or closure, instead leaving the audience with a persistent feeling of vulnerability. This style appeals to readers who enjoy intellectual engagement with fear rather than physical shock value.

Key Themes
tales of the unknown sense of dread recognition
Literary Context

Published in 2020 by Independently Published, this work sits within the modern landscape of horror fiction. It reflects a trend toward psychological unease and the uncanny in contemporary genre literature. The independent publication status highlights the diverse avenues available for horror authors today.

Difficulty
●● Medium
Recommended For Fans Of
H.P. Lovecraft · Shirley Jackson · Algernon Blackwood
🩸
Horror Fiction
🏛 Independently Published 📅 2020 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9798628299609

📝 Description: Waking Nightmares: Tales of the Unknown

Michael John Bertolini presents a collection of stories centered on the unknown in Waking Nightmares. The work aims to provoke a sense of dread in the reader by presenting horrors that may spark recognition but appear in unfamiliar ways. The publisher notes that something wants to read over your shoulder, establishing an immediate tone of unease. This volume belongs to the tradition of supernatural fiction and gothic literature, appealing to those who enjoy psychological terror and the uncanny. The book is suitable for readers seeking short, impactful tales of fear. It may not suit those looking for long-form narratives or historical horror with extensive world-building. Bertolini qualifies as an author within the independent publishing sphere, offering a direct approach to genre fiction. The collection relies on the atmosphere of the unknown rather than explicit gore or traditional monster tropes. Readers should expect stories that challenge their perception of reality through subtle, unsettling imagery. This edition was published in 2020 by Independently Published. It carries the ISBN 9798628299609 and is available as a standard book format. The content focuses on tales that blur the line between the familiar and the terrifying. Fans of modern horror anthologies will find this work aligns with contemporary interests in psychological dread. The structure allows for quick immersion into each scenario, maintaining tension throughout. Those who prefer clear resolutions may find the ambiguous nature of these tales frustrating.

💎 Our verdict on Waking Nightmares: Tales of the Unknown

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Bertolini delivers a compelling collection centered on the unknown, provoking dread through familiar horrors appearing in unfamiliar ways. The narrative avoids jump scares, relying instead on a lingering sense of being watched to establish unease. This approach distinguishes the work from visceral horror genres by prioritizing psychological terror over explicit gore or traditional monster tropes. The stories blur the line between the familiar and the terrifying, forcing readers to question their own perceptions. It is best suited for those who enjoy intellectual engagement with fear and appreciate atmospheric storytelling over extensive world-building.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking short, impactful tales of fear will find this volume particularly rewarding. It appeals to those who enjoy intellectual engagement with dread rather than physical shock value. The book does not offer comfort or closure, instead leaving the audience with a persistent feeling of vulnerability. This style is ideal for individuals who appreciate subtle, unsettling imagery that challenges their perception of reality. Fans of modern horror anthologies will find this work aligns with contemporary interests in psychological dread and the atmosphere of the unknown.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.4
Based on 1 reviews
5
0
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
0
H
Horror Reads editorial team

Bertolini delivers a compelling collection centered on the unknown, provoking dread through familiar horrors appearing in unfamiliar ways. The narrative avoids jump scares, relying instead on a lingering sense of being watched to establish unease. This approach distinguishes the work from visceral horror genres by prioritizing psychological terror over explicit gore or traditional monster tropes. The stories blur the line between the familiar and the terrifying, forcing readers to question their own perceptions. It is best suited for those who enjoy intellectual engagement with fear and appreciate atmospheric storytelling over extensive world-building.

✍️ More books by this author Michael John Bertolini

Enter Madness
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Michael John Bertolini
Enter Madness
$9.99
81
Read →
Horrorscope: Tales of the Dark and Twisted
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Michael John Bertolini
Horrorscope: Tales of the Dark and Twisted
$12.99
78
Read →

🏛 Books from this publisher Independently Published

The Walking Worm
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Matthew Cowdery
The Walking Worm
$12.99
78
Read →
You'll Do As You're Told
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Craig Wesley Wall
You'll Do As You're Told
$14.99
78
Read →
La Sincronicidad de los Dioses
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Jon Ridan
La Sincronicidad de los Dioses
$11.99
78
Read →
Forever Your Blood: Christabel Kane I
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Syl Emerald
Forever Your Blood: Christabel Kane I
$19.00
81
Read →
John Hopkins: At the heart of England
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Shane Terry
John Hopkins: At the heart of England
$17.32
78
Read →
Skinheads VS. Goth Vampires
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Nick Razer
Skinheads VS. Goth Vampires
$15.99
78
Read →

You might also like

See more →
Horrorscope: Tales of the Dark and Twisted
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.4
1
Michael John Bertolini
Horrorscope: Tales of the Dark and Twisted
$12.99
78
Read →
Beyond the Ivy
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Taylor Mills
Beyond the Ivy
$9.99
86
Read →
Captain Gigadeath
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Ryan O'Laughlin
Captain Gigadeath
$9.99
86
Read →
The Gathering of Shadows
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Mark N Drake
The Gathering of Shadows
$9.99
86
Read →
The Lost Country, Episode One: "The Big Empty"
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Wayne Kyle Spitzer
The Lost Country, Episode One: "The Big Empty"
$9.99
86
Read →
Dr. Purpura
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Gibran D Hinojos
Dr. Purpura
$9.99
86
Read →

Have a question about this item?

Ask about the edition, condition, delivery or anything else — we reply by email or phone, usually within a day.

Home Genres
Cart
Wishlist